CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24634, 16 June 1941, Page 7

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

DISMISSAL BY EMPLOYERS

LABOUR DEPARTMENT MAY PROSECUTE '■(Special) CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. Any firm which dismisses art employee who has conscientious objection to military service and has appealed on that ground is liable to prosecution by the Labour Department, according to Mr R. T. Bailey, officer in charge of the department in Ch'ristchurch. "Some such cases in the city have been reported to me lately, and they are being investigated," said Mr Bailey in an interview. " I was very surprised to find that one well-known firm seems to have adopted dismissal .of conscientious objectors as a matter of policy. "Any man who. is called up in a ballot for military service, and, because of the views he holds, uses the legal machinery of the Armed Forces Appeal Board to exempt him from military service, is perfectly justified, and an employer who dismisses him after such an appeal must realise that he is liable to "rosecution. Even if the decision of the board is reserved by same position still applies," Mr Bailey said.

" Should an employee appeal but have his case dismissed, then that man. under the laws of this country, must be reinstated to his former position on the completion of his military service." Mr Bailey added. "After all. freedom of thought and action is what we are fighting for, and the Union Jack symbolises all these aims. I belong to a certain church and I hole! certain views-, but. at the same time. I respect and tolerate the views and opinions of men who do not necessarily think as I do."